Abstract
This case study outlines an ethics approval process experienced during a maternal health research project in Nepal. The Government of Nepal established the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) in 1991, along with the Scientific and Ethics Committee reviewing health related research. However, not all researchers apply for ethics approval. Although researchers may claim a lack of clarity on the kinds of research studies needing approval, the authors argue that the guidelines are sufficiently clear if explored and duly followed. The inconsistencies in seeking ethics approval from NHRC could simply mean that researchers are not aware of this ethical review process. Perhaps the guidelines are not strictly enforced. Nevertheless, as researchers it is our responsibility to seek ethical approval as a matter of principle, without considering it a barrier to research.
Highlights
Public health and health systems research has gained a tremendous interest in low and middle-income countries
Having read the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) document titled National Ethical Guidelines For Health Research in Nepal and Standard Operating Procedures, January 2011, we argue that the types of research considered “health-related”, and requiring an approval, can be inferred from the document
The process of preparing an application can be tedious, ethical review is a crucial step in health research
Summary
Public health and health systems research has gained a tremendous interest in low and middle-income countries. Teijlingen and Simkhada provide reasons to explain why researchers fail to apply for an ethics approval for health research in low and middle-income countries and demonstrate that there are assumptions made by the researchers [6] This case presents an experience in acquiring ethics approval from Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) for health-related research; it demonstrates that, even with extenuating local circumstances, the process need not be considered a “barrier” to research [3]. More than a decade after the forming of the ERB, it is still the case that not all health researchers apply for ethics approval or register their health research with the NHRC [6,7] It has become impossible for the NHRC to be informed of and track the quantity or type of health studies that are conducted in Nepal [7,8]. Is it okay to submit the application in parts if that makes the process faster?
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